Oman Omandac shone as the Lyceum of the Philippines University squeaked past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 81-78, on Saturday in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Omandac waxed hot and drilled five triples en route to a 24-point outing on top of nine rebounds to lead the Pirates who were playing without skipper Enoch Valdez who is sick.
John Barba (sprained ankle) and JM Bravo also suffered injuries along the way, with the former posting seven points and the latter being limited to two points.
The Pirates were up 79-73 before a King Gurtiza layup and Kyle Ochavo trey cut LPU's lead to one with eight ticks remaining in the final frame. A foul by Ochavo brought Renz Villegas to the line where he sank freebies which sealed the deal for the Pirates as JP Maguliano missed his final 3-pt attempt.
Villegas had 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while Alvin Peñafiel chipped in 12 points as the Pirates improved to 8-3 and claim the solo second spot.
Nat Cosejo paced EAC with 23 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and one block, while Kyle Ochavo had 21 points, 8 boards, and six dimes as EAC went down to 6-5.
The two teams will have a short break and will be back on Friday as LPU faces Mapua University, while EAC will go against Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Scores:
LPU 81 - Omandac 24, Villegas 13, Peñafiel 12, Umali 8, Cunanan 7, Barba 7, Fuentes 4, Bravo 2, Guadana 2, Montano 2, Aviles 0.
EAC 78 - Cosejo 23, Ochavo 21, Maguliano 13, Gurtiza 5, Tolentino 5, Quinal 5, Angeles 3, Doria 2, Umpad 1, Robin 0, Luciano 0, Loristo 0, Bacud 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 42-43, 60-54, 81-78.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
